SIX THINGS NEEDED TO MOVE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR IN THE BEST DIRECTION
Talking generally about the problems faced by Newfoundland and Labrador encourages many of us to agree with the premier’s stance. At this stage, it is easy because there are no direct impacts on us. Moving from generalities to specifics requires each MHA to embrace specific actions that Premier Andrew Furey has to model.
Here are six things that are needed:
Outline the vision: Outlining the vision means describing the outcome the government intends to achieve. It requires the government to tell the citizens what the outcome looks like, sounds like, and feels like for us. We need to know and we need to have the time to process the implications for our quality of life and our future.
2. Be the model: The premier’s actions have to be aligned with the vision. His efforts have to confirm that he believes in the vision and is not making decisions to win votes. He cannot vacillate between politically convenient choices and those required to achieve the vision. His word has to be trusted and consistent.
3. Accept conflict as normal: Communities will fight to keep the programs and services they have currently. Previous governments made many politically justified decisions, and most of us do not want to lose what we were given.
4. Challenge processes and products: Many of us do not like change. The premier’s role is to challenge the status quo and find better ways of ensuring our needs are met, and standards are not dropped.
5. Enable voices to be heard:
There are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with great ideas that will enable the vision to be achieved. Encourage those voices, and give them the power to self-determine and achieve the outcome desired to accomplish the agreed-upon vision.
Sometimes these processes take a little longer but they achieve long-lasting results.
6. Match head and heart: We make decisions emotionally and justify them intellectually. Now is the time to encourage all citizens to think of the short-, medium- and long-range implications of all decisions. Holding on may sound good at the moment, and it can have devastating results in the long run.
Furey has quite a challenge. It is time for us to face our reality, listen to the facts, and become part of the solution.
Brenda Kelleher-flight
St. John’s